Ecolab

Infobox_Company
company_name = Ecolab, Inc
company_type = Public (NYSE: [http://quotes.nasdaq.com/asp/SummaryQuote.asp?symbol=BF/B&selected=ECL ECL] )
company_slogan =
foundation = 1923
location = flagicon|USA St Paul, Minnesota
key_people = Douglas M. Baker, Jr Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ecolab. Director of Ecolab since February 2004.
industry = hygiene Chemicals sanitization pest control
products = cleaning, sanitizing, pest elimination, food safety and infection prevention products and services
num_employees = 26,000
revenue = profit $ 5.470 billion (2007)
operating_income =
net_income = profit $ 427.2 million (2007)
parent =
subsid =
homepage = [http://www.ecolab.co.uk Ecolab UK] [http://www.ecolab.com Ecolab Inc.]
manager 2007=Matt 2006=Lary
company_

Ecolab, Inc., is a St. Paul, Minnesota based sanitation supply company founded in 1923. It was named "Economics Laboratory" before its name was changed to Ecolab in 1986 [Ecolab company history at Ecolab.com [http://www.ecolab.com/CompanyProfile/History.asp] ] .

The company provides sanitation and pest control supplies, foodservice equipment repair and parts, services and consulting to restaurants, hospitals, food and beverage plants, laundries, schools, retail and commercial properties [Ecolab company profile at Ecolab.com [http://www.ecolab.com/CompanyProfile/Default.asp] ] . With sales of $5.5 billion and more than 26,000 sales-and-service associates, Ecolab Inc. (NYSE: [http://quotes.nasdaq.com/asp/SummaryQuote.asp?symbol=BF/B&selected=ECL ECL] ) is the global leader [http://investdb.theglobeandmail.com/invest/investSQL/gx.company_prof?company_id=159015] in cleaning, sanitizing, pest elimination, food safety and infection prevention products and services. Ecolab delivers comprehensive programs and services to foodservice, food and beverage processing, healthcare, and hospitality markets in more than 170 countries.

German-based company Henkel owns 29% of its capital [Ecolab factsheet at Hoovers.com [http://www.hoovers.com/ecolab/--ID__10503--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml] ] . The company stock was a component of the Standard and Poor's 500. [IndexArb, "Index Component Weights of Stocks in the S&P 500" "(as of April 10, 2008)" [http://www.indexarb.com/indexComponentWtsSP500.html] ]

Ecolab has been named one of the “World's Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere Magazine. The extensive research process included reviewing over 10,000 of the world's leading companies on six continents. Fewer than 100 companies were chosen for the award. [http://ethisphere.com/2007-worlds-most-ethical-companies/]

Ecolab is now ranked #438 in the Fortune 500 magazine, moving up nineteen spots over last year. Ecolab also ranked 228 in terms of market value, 183 on return on sales, 111 for return on total assets, 131 for return on equity and 72 in total return (stock price plus dividends) to shareholders over the ten years ending in 2007.

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